About Deidox

Deidox Films is a 501(c)3 film production and distribution company. We are media missionaries. Our mission is to produce and promote documentary films that help the Church reflect Christ and redeem culture.

Our purpose is to partner with Pastors and Church leaders to help make disciples and fulfill the Great Commission. We do this by creating visual models of faith that provide practical examples of modern day disciples.

Where does the name come from?

Dei = “God” in LatinDox = Documentary films

Projects

Our ministry focuses on the following areas:

Deidox ShortsA series of short films (less than 5 minutes) for Pastors and Church leaders to use within their ministry context. These films help church leaders provide tangible examples of what it looks like to live a life of faith. They provide a powerful and unexpected tool for ministries, especially when paired with strong biblical teaching. You can view and download the films on-line.

Deidox FeaturesWe are currently developing several feature length documentary films. These films allow us to go deeper into the lives of modern day disciples so we can observe and learn how God is working in the world today.

Development Lab (Coming Soon)We are learners. The Deidox Development Lab (DDL) provides ongoing educational opportunities for our team and other filmmakers. This plays out in several ways:

1) Media Missionary Program (one year) – Participants live in Austin for the year, serving as Deidox team members, being apprenticed in our production process, and then in the end producing their own Deidox media. This program is tailored to the participant’s goals and requires previous success in a discipline that relates to our overarching work (producing, directing, editing, marketing, distribution, running a business, non-profit management, web develpoment, pastoring, event coordinating, etc). Also, participants will be media missionaries -like we are- and therefore raise support for living expenses over the course of the year.

2) Intern program (2-6 months) – Training Program for young filmmakers. Participants will support and be apprenticed in our production process. Much experience will be gained. The program is unpaid, so we encourage support to be raised to allow applicants to maximize their time. Applications are ongoing, with programs running three times a year (Fall, Spring, Summer).

3) Commissioning of Artists (ongoing) – We commission artists who are well established to do their own Deidox Films projects. Our goal is to provide the financial means for these artists to use their gifts to serve the Kingdom, make great art, and then know that it will reach an audience.

Deidox Pastor Profiles (Coming soon)Our Profiles series is an intimate look at the lives of Pastors and Church Leaders. These short films help us better understand ministry leaders while at the same time allowing them to speak to each other’s hearts.

Who We Are

Dave Mahanes – President & Co-Founder

David has overseen the production of documentaries, promotional videos, and short films over the last six years, including the feature documentary “Dear Francis”. He has produced and filmed projects in countries such as Swaziland, Rwanda, Kenya, Mexico, Turkey, Thailand, and Morocco.

Previously David worked with I-40 Films where he oversaw the production of commercials that included award-winning spots for Ford and the Carolina Hurricanes. Prior to moving to California, David spent four years as the personal assistant to Governor George Voinovich of Ohio. He obtained his B.A. in history and political science from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

Brent Gudgel – VP of Film Production & Co-Founder

Brent is a film director in Los Angeles who has worked in over 20 countries for clients including Ford, Saddleback Church, English Language Institute/China, Azusa Pacific University, and Fuller Seminary. A partner in the production company Chronicle Project, Brent co-directed an award-winning documentary “Dear Francis” which has been used by universities and churches around the world in addition to airing on Showtime television. The film is about the most HIV-infected nation in the world, Swaziland. Brent also directed the documentary “Hood Ranch” and an ongoing documentary series for Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row in Los Angeles.

Brent obtained his B.A. in film from Azusa Pacific University in 2002. Prior to producing films, Brent worked with youth at Lake Avenue Church and Young Life. Like his producing partner, Brent is a PK (Pastor’s Kid) who grew up in the church, which developed his strong passion for ministry and desire to spur people to action. Recently Brent also became a published author, co-writing the book Before You Get Engaged with his lovely wife Danielle.

Richard Kentopp – Pastor of Church Partnerships

Richard is a pastor and musician in Austin, TX. He received his MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2008 and was ordained in 2013. Richard has traveled all over the country playing music and speaking to church leaders about music in the church. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife Molly and son Ellis.